Magnitude runs away from field in Iowa Derby
Magnitude served notice Saturday night he could be sitting on a big second half of the season as he powered to a 9 1/4-length victory in the $250,000 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows.
The start was his first since February, and he came out running. Magnitude, at 3-5, set the pace and went on to cover the 1 1/16 miles on a track rated “good” in a strong 1:42.26.
“He did what he was supposed to do,” owner Ron Winchell said in an interview broadcast by Prairie Meadows. “We’re happy to be here and happy to find the winner’s circle.”
The Iowa Derby was one of four stakes on the final night of the Iowa Festival of Racing. The stakes were worth a cumulative $875,000 and included the Grade 3, $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap upset by Cornishman ($30.40).
Magnitude, who was making his first start since a 9 3/4-length win in the Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds, broke well in his return and proceeded to set the pace, taking the field through fractions of 23.29 for the opening quarter, 46.65 for the half-mile and 1:10.94 for six furlongs, while under some pressure. He increased his advantage through the stretch to win by a clear margin over Itsmybirthday. It was another 4 1/4 lengths back in third to Mister Omaha.
Ben Curtis was aboard Magnitude for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Magnitude had been considered a chief contender for this year’s Kentucky Derby following his win in the Risen Star. For the effort he had earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 108.
“He had a little ankle chip that put him on the sidelines,” Winchell said in the interview with Prairie Meadows. “As the Derby trail goes, sometimes you become the victim and now we’re back here.”
Magnitude is a son of Not This Time who has now won 4 of 8 starts for earnings of $596,165.
Cornhusker Handicap
Cornishman won a three-way cavalry charge to the wire in the Grade 3, $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap, to take the 1 1/8-mile race by a neck over Heroic Move.
It was another neck back in third to Gould’s Gold.
Cornishman ($30.40) raced off the pace set by Unload, who took the field through an opening quarter in 24.31 seconds, a half-mile in 49.64 and six furlongs in 1:13.72. Cornishman began his bid in earnest on the final turn, came four wide into the stretch, and went on to cover the distance on a track rated “good” in 1:50.10.
“He ran huge,” trainer Dan McFarlane said in an interview conducted by Prairie Meadows.
McFarlane said the race was his richest career win.
Glenn Corbett was aboard Cornishman, who races for Joseph Schumer.
Cornishman is a son of Curlin. He has now won 4 of 16 starts for earnings of $348,078.
Dragoon Guard was scratched from the Cornhusker.
Iowa Oaks
Quickick put in a determined run to catch Sayucan on the wire for a nose win in the $225,000 Iowa Oaks. It was another 13 lengths back in third to Paradise City.
The 1 1/16-mile race was run on a track rated “good.”
Quickick ($4.20) broke well and trailed the field early. She saved ground along the rail as Sayucan set the pace, taking her rivals through fractions of 23.40 for the opening quarter, 47.50 for the half-mile and 1:12.70 for six furlongs. Quickick began picking off horses quickly on the final turn and went after the leader through the lane. She just got up on the wire and covered the distance in 1:45.39.
Brian Hernandez Jr. was aboard for trainer Tom Amoss.
Quickick is a daughter of McKinzie who races for Greenwell Thoroughbreds. She had established herself as one of the top 2-year-old fillies of 2024 when second in the Alcibiades and third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
The Iowa Oaks was the first stakes win for Quickick, who is now 2 for 9 for earnings of $560,000.
*The father and son jockeys Stewart and Christopher Elliott both had stakes wins Saturday. Stewart’s came at Lone Star Park in the Valor Farm with Too Much Kiki, while Christopher's came at Prairie Meadows aboard Good Civilian ($19) in the $100,000 Prairie Gold Juvenile. Good Civilian won by a length over Old Money, closing well to cover 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:05.25. Genaro Garcia trains the son of Good Samaritan for Southwest Racing Stable.
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